Hamel 12 months ago
ActivityRank: 10

This will be my third Animarathon (the only con I ever went to) and I still haven't made any friend there ever which is kind of sad because I really want to ]:
Is there a way that you suggest to approach people at a con and someway keep in touch afterwatds?

Kai 12 months ago
ActivityRank: 42

Absolutely! I've always been extremely shy, but cons friendly atmosphere has helped me come out of my shell and it's much easier for me to talk to people ^-^ .

If you have no panel to go to and just wanna chill for a while, find a spot on a couch (or floor, just don't block the hallway) in a hallway that gets some traffic. If other people are looking to chill, they might join you. If your the one looking for a spot, you may see a group of con-goers already starting a little friendship circle and ask to join in. Cons are made of some of the nicest people on the planet, and it's easy to get a conversation going since we all have things in common.

Just go up to people chilling and ask "hey, mind if I crash with you guys for a while?". The answer is usually yes. I've been to over 10 cons and this happens on a near constant basis. Just don't be creepy xD ! Cosplayers love giving out their cosplay.com or deviantart accounts, so feel free to ask for those or an aim/msn/etc screen name if you hit it off. Good luck ^-^!

Hamel 12 months ago
ActivityRank: 10

Thanks for posting and trying to help
Do you have a MSN account so we can talk before the con so we may meet there?

Kai 12 months ago
ActivityRank: 42

No, sorry ^^'. I'm actually gonna be quite busy staffing, anyway

Timman87 12 months ago
ActivityRank: 36

Oh man, last year was my very first con ever and I went at it alone. Im the kind of anime fan that only has "normal" friends so this con was like coming out of the anime closet. And man, a simple "Hey, is that a Sol-Badguy outfit youre wearing?" turned into a real lengthy conversation. I talked about games and anime outloud and in public for the very first time ever with a total stranger! I mean, we didnt exchange contacts but we chatted it up like we've known each other already.

And I danced with Haruhi (not the Haruhi-dance, she was sick of it by the end of the night)

I even chilled with some gamers. Even though I totally got spanked at Super Smash, theyre all cool about it.

And even in some of the viewing rooms, had a lengthy conversation about the live action Dragonball movie (twas a rumor at the time...sigh...and I was an optimist...)

"How many Dragonball Z characters does it take to screw in a lightbulb?"
"Just one, but it'll take him eight episodes to do it"

But yeah, all in all, in my exp, everyone there was super friendly. I cant wait for next week.

KK 11 months ago
ActivityRank: 6

Timman87 has it!

ShamanKing986 11 months ago
ActivityRank:

Last year's Ani was my first con ever, too. ^-^ I didn't really meet anyone to talk to a lot, but I did make the whole main hall lose the game at some point in the day. I forget when, exactly, but it was fun. Hopefully this year I'll go home with some new friends.

ath_cat 64 days ago
ActivityRank: 32

Yes comeing out of the anime closet was a good way of putting for me too. lol It was my first con and I had planned on haveing 2 friends come along... they both had become bed ridden the day before!!! T_T But my right hand gal stuck it out and we felt so guilty leaving our "mama ashe" at home sick... well she spent the night so we could get an early start the next day, (I live clear in Allen County) we woke up, ate breakfast, and got dressed.
Mom: So you guys don't get your costumes dirty, I'll go feed the goats!
30min later
Mom: We have goat babies.
Me: Of all days?!
Little brother: Yay! *smacks head on fire place and bawls*

Needless to say we were very late. Haha we got there in time to take pictures and buy the lovely merchindise, but attended no pannels and no contests... It makes me wonder what I missed. We were approched by many for pictures.
Me:You want my what?
Person:Your picture Sakura-chan!
Me: Omg! Okay!
I came out of my little 14 year old anime lover shell and felt normal that day. haha When you go to a school full of country bumpkins and rednecks it starts to mess with you if you don't have anyone to gush about the latest volume of naruto to. lol I hope to make friends this year, and hope to have 10x more fun of corse!
This year we plan to stay all day and watch movies and just have more fun! Any sugestions for pannels and such? I will cosplay Sakura this year and would love to meet anyone! ♥

Timman87 64 days ago
ActivityRank: 36

Well, as the con gets closer, they should release a schedule of all the panels and events so you can plan out your day.

Personally, I really enjoyed the Giant Robot panel... I always hear good/weird things about the Shonen Ai panel, whether or not thats your thing.

And be sure to buy raffle tickets!

ath_cat 63 days ago
ActivityRank: 32

Yes I bought the Card Captor Sakura bag raffle thingy and the kinda normal one. Unfortinatly I left before the numbers were drawn... haha And yes I like robots. lol

caiterz 60 days ago
ActivityRank: 6

:O

I've never been to an anime-con before, but my guildmate in an MMO, sephi wants me to come to this one.

I'm super shy though, I probably wont talk to anyone ><


and I probably wont dress up, tooooo embarrasing, lol

Its a 2 hour drive though *ouch*

Noone around where i live likes anime though *sob sob*

ccoates-PRESIDENT 43 days ago
ActivityRank: 102

@caiterz

Even if you are shy you should still come! ^-^ Really some of the nicest people are at cons Animarathon especially! In some ways we are all like some huge really weird extended family and this is a reunion. I have met some of my best friends at cons and they will be friends for life, and also unlike everyone at home you will be surrounded by other people who love anime and don't look at you like you are crazy when you go off on a rant about how Sailor Moon was your idol while growing up....
As for the two hour drive, as long as you can find a place for stay and someone to come up with the drive is worth it! The first time I went to Animarathon was when I was in high school and I live three hours from BG and I had a great time!

I hope you come to Animarathon and let us be your first con! If you do come try and find me I'm sure at some point during the day I will introduce myself as the president of ANO so you will know it is me!